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Computer and Video Game Careers

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JobMonkey.com
Volume VIII, Issue #31
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Every Tuesday, we send you a newsletter chock full of inside tips and suggestions about a variety of different professions - from working on fishing boats in Alaska to teaching English as a second language. Some weeks we look at seasonal opportunities, like summer camps and outdoor jobs with the National Park Service; other weeks we explore life-long dream careers, including opportunities to work in Europe or to pursue the green revolution.

Sometimes figuring out what your dream job should be means reflecting back on your childhood. If you can recall the kinds of activities that you truly enjoyed as a kid, you just might gain some insight into the type work you should be doing today. For example, was playing video games your ultimate passion? If so, did you know that there is a whole career field for video game programmers and designers? That's right, those hours you spent in front of Nintendo and Game Boy (or Tetris, for real old schoolers) weren't a waste after all. In fact, they just might tell you something about your future vocation. You can learn more about how to pursue a career in video game design and programming in this week's newsletter.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Career Advisor: Informational Interviewing
2) Spotlight: Learning to Become a Video Game Designer
3) Around the Monkey: College Scholarships for Video Gamers
4) JobMonkey Job Center: Earn a Living Through Play

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CAREER ADVISOR: Informational Interviewing
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by Amy Lindgren

Did you know that informational interviewing and networking are different things? Of course you know that - once you think about it. An informational job interview is a session you request from someone who understands an industry or position very well, and from whom you would like to gain that knowledge. Networking is the general name we give to the process of staying in contact with people who might be of assistance during your job search.

In a well-structured job search, most of the informational interviewing will happen at the beginning of the process, when you're trying to understand your role in the industry, or whether your skills are appropriate for the level you're seeking. This is the stage when you sincerely need information, before you launch your job search in earnest.

Why does it matter to get these terms right? Because job seekers who claim to be seeking an informational interview when they are clearly well-informed about the field give themselves away as insincere. They seem to be insinuating themselves into someone's office under the guise of needing advice when all they really want is a job interview. Worse, job seekers often prolong the informational interviewing stage not out of a need for more information, but out of fear of the networking process.

If you already know about your field and are a qualified candidate, it's time to focus your outreach on actual networking and not on pseudo information sessions. Resolve to connect with new and old contacts every week and tell them clearly what you are seeking, in terms of new contacts or job leads. You'll make faster progress and they'll appreciate your forthrightness.

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SPOTLIGHT: Higher Learning for Video Game Designers
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Designing, programming and marketing video games has quickly become a more than $11 billion industry. With numbers like these, it rivals the movie business and has surpassed the recording industry.

Video gaming is a maturing field, which means that breaking into the profession has become increasingly competitive. New game developers and designers must be able to effortlessly bridge technology know-how with entertainment and artistry.

For those who aspire to have a career in the video game industry, the most traditional route is to get a Bachelors degree in computer science, preferably with an emphasis in video game design. More and more universities are now offering courses in video game design, as the cultural and economic relevance of computer gaming has become an undeniable fact of the 21st century.

Typically listed within the computer science department, video game design courses also require a sophisticated and nuanced approach to storytelling and design. You may, therefore, find yourself sharing ideas with graphic designers and studio arts majors.

In addition to computer science or engineering, a select number of schools now offer a designated major in video game design. The University of California - Santa Cruz, for example, has been the leader in this field with its Bachelor's degree in Computer Game Design. Coursework includes computer science, engineering, art, music, narration, and digital media. The demanding major also requires seniors to participate in a game design studio, in which they develop a marketable video game. Another California university -- UC-Irvine -- offers a specialization in Game Culture and Technology through its Studio Arts major.

If a four-year degree is not in your immediate future, you might want to check out an Associate's degree program, like the one at Full Sail in Orlando, Florida. The school, which does offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees, also has a 21-month AA degree in developing, designing and programming games. Coursework includes artificial intelligence, game networking, game design, physics, and linear algebra.

Online schools are also an increasingly popular choice for aspiring gamers. And no wonder: It's the perfect way to blend screen time with higher education! You can find the right distance learning degree program for you on OnlineDegreeZone or similar sites.

If you plan to work your way up to senior programmer or company director, you will probably need to have an advanced degree. The most common degree for gaming industry executives is a Masters in Computer Engineering. To learn more, check out the U.S. News and World Report's most recent Top 10 list of the best engineering schools. Any of these universities would be a great place to start or complete your higher education.

If you want more information on education for video game designers, be sure to read the JobMonkey blog's post, Put Down the Remote Control & Pick Up a Textbook.

And to learn more about the life style, career opportunities and salary possibilities associated with this dynamic field, check out JobMonkey's extensive section on Video Game Jobs.

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AROUND THE MONKEY: Scholarships for Video Game Designers & Programmers
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Worried that you can't afford the cost of higher learning necessary to pursue your childhood passion of video gaming? What about a scholarship? Believe it or not, there are college scholarships exclusively for video game designers and programmers. If you are currently enrolled in college or planning to be next fall, you should definitely check them out. Here are two good places to get started:

The Entertainment Software Association has thirty $3,000 scholarships up for grabs for women and minorities pursuing a degree in computer and video game arts

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences is going to award four $2,500 scholarships this year to aspiring game designers, developers and producer. You can learn more about this opportunity through the Financial Aid Finder (the gaming scholarship is #3 on the list at this link.)

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JOB CENTER REPORT: Careers in the Video Game Industry
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Are you looking for a job in the video game industry? Have you visited the JobMonkey Job Center recently? The job center features an extensive database of different job openings around the country and the world, including opportunities in the lucrative field of video game design and programming. Our lists are updated daily and completely free to job seekers.

Some of our featured video game employers include industry-leaders like:

Rockstar Games
Nintendo of America
Electronic Arts (EA Games)

 

 

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